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The Top 8 Asset-Based Trucking Companies in Wisconsin (2025)

Written by Drew Kirkman | May 13, 2025 12:30:00 PM

A brief introduction

Wisconsin has always been a trucking state. Its location at the heart of the Midwest makes it a natural hub for moving food, paper, packaging, machinery, and agricultural products across North America.

This guide looks specifically at asset-based carriers — companies that own and operate their own tractors and trailers — rather than pure brokers. Asset-based carriers provide:

  • Direct accountability: The trucks you book are the trucks that arrive.

  • Higher safety and compliance standards: Fleets are directly maintained.

  • Local expertise: Operators understand Wisconsin’s seasonal cycles and industry nuances.

We’ve ranked these carriers based on fleet size, financial performance, service specialization, and reputation. Badger Logistics leads the list — not out of bias, but because it represents a new, integrated model that combines asset-based trucking with full-service logistics capabilities.

Why Wisconsin Asset-Based Carriers Excel

Before diving into our company profiles, it's important to understand what sets Wisconsin-based asset-based trucking companies apart from their competitors across the United States.

  • Manufacturing Alignment: Carriers here grew up alongside food processors, paper mills, and industrial suppliers. They know the quirks of each sector.

  • Geographic Positioning: Wisconsin carriers connect Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and the Great Lakes region with shorter deadhead miles and efficient routing.

  • Relationship Focus: Many carriers remain family-owned, prioritizing long-term partnerships over transactional freight.

  • Technology + Service: The best companies pair modern tracking and communication platforms with real people empowered to solve problems.


The top 8 Wisconsin asset-based trucking companies in 2025

We've compiled this list based on company size, reputation, service quality, and industry standing. Companies are presented in order of annual revenue where available, with founding dates and key differentiators highlighted.

Why Badger Logistics represents the future of Wisconsin trucking

Before exploring Wisconsin's trucking landscape, consider what the next generation of transportation companies looks like. While the industry has traditionally been divided between massive national carriers and small regional operators, a new category is emerging: integrated logistics providers that combine the best of both worlds.

Badger Logistics exemplifies this evolution. Rather than forcing customers to manage multiple vendors for trucking, brokerage, warehousing, and maintenance, Badger provides comprehensive solutions through a single point of contact. This eliminates the complexity and inefficiency of coordinating between different companies when problems arise.

What truly sets Badger apart is their approach to business. While mega-carriers optimize for volume at the expense of relationships, Badger builds success on genuine partnerships. When you call with an urgent shipment, you speak with someone who knows your business and has authority to make decisions—not account management by committee.

Their Wisconsin roots translate into real advantages. Badger understands seasonal paper industry patterns, food processing regulations, and manufacturing shipping rhythms in ways that generic national providers cannot match. This knowledge means better carrier selection, accurate transit times, and proactive problem-solving.

Most importantly, Badger maintains Wisconsin's rigorous standards:

  • 97% on-time delivery
  • strict carrier vetting requirements
  • FDA-registered food-grade warehousing.
The result is a partner offering major carrier capabilities with regional specialist attention.

As you review this guide, consider not just what each company offers today, but what they represent for your logistics future. The most successful shippers choose partners who can adapt, integrate, and genuinely care about their success—qualities that define both the Wisconsin approach to business and Badger's commitment to excellence.

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1. Badger Logistics (Badger Express)

Founded: 1993
Headquarters: Fall River, Wisconsin
Fleet Size: 175+ trailers | 97% on-time delivery

Core Services

  • Asset-based dry van trucking (48 states)

  • Freight brokerage (15,000+ vetted carriers)

  • Food-grade warehousing (210,000 sq ft, FDA-registered)

  • Vehicle maintenance and repair

What Sets Them Apart

  • Integrated Solutions: Trucking, warehousing, and brokerage all coordinated by one partner.

  • Wisconsin Expertise: Decades of experience with paper, packaging, and food processing supply chains.

  • Strict Standards: Minimum 12 months’ authority, strong safety scores, and insurance requirements for all partner carriers.

  • Real Relationships: Customers work with account managers who make decisions, not ticket systems.

Best For: Mid-market manufacturers, Wisconsin-based shippers, and companies needing end-to-end logistics under one roof.

2. Marten Transport

Founded: 1946
Headquarters: Mondovi, Wisconsin
Fleet: 3,000+ tractors, 15 terminals
Revenue: ~$960M (2024 est.)

Core Services

  • Refrigerated and dry van trucking

  • Dedicated fleets

  • Intermodal

  • Brokerage

What Sets Them Apart
Marten pioneered temperature-controlled trucking and now runs one of the youngest fleets in the country (average tractor age: under 2 years). They’ve invested heavily in sustainability, including CNG and solar, and are known for exceptional driver retention.

Best For: Food, beverage, and pharmaceutical shippers needing precise temperature control and reliability.

3. Schneider National

Founded: 1935
Headquarters: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Fleet: 13,000 tractors, 30,000 trailers
Revenue: $6.6B (2024 est.)

Core Services

  • Truckload (dry van, reefer, bulk)

  • Intermodal

  • Dedicated fleets

  • International logistics

  • Brokerage

What Sets Them Apart
One of North America’s largest carriers, Schneider offers unmatched scale and innovation. They’ve rolled out one of the largest electric truck fleets in the U.S. and operate the FreightPower digital freight marketplace.

Best For: Fortune 500 shippers and those needing multi-modal, coast-to-coast solutions.

4. Roehl Transport

Founded: 1962
Headquarters: Marshfield, Wisconsin
Fleet: 1,900 tractors, 5,200 trailers
Revenue: ~$450M (2024 est.)

Core Services

  • Dry van trucking

  • Flatbed and specialized hauling

  • Curtainside trailers

  • Refrigerated freight

  • Dedicated services

What Sets Them Apart
Roehl is a family-owned carrier with national reach. They are especially known for their best-in-class driver training programs and innovative pay practices, along with investment in alternative fuels.

Best For: Shippers requiring specialized trailers and reliable Midwest-to-national coverage.

5. DBG Trucking, Inc.

Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Ownership: Family-owned

Core Services

  • Dry van trucking across the 48 contiguous states

  • Hauling for paper, packaging, retail, manufactured goods, and food & beverage (perishable and non-perishable)

What Sets Them Apart
DBG emphasizes well-maintained equipment, professional drivers, and on-time delivery. They also invest in proprietary technology to improve visibility and efficiency. Their family-owned model ensures accountability across a wide service footprint.

Best For: Shippers needing flexible freight solutions across multiple commodity types with family-owned service standards.

6. Barry Trucking, Inc.

Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Revenue: ~$10–20M (est.)
Employees: ~50–99

Core Services

  • Contract hauling

  • Regional trucking throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest

What Sets Them Apart
Barry has been a steady presence in Wisconsin logistics for decades. Though smaller in scale, they are trusted for consistent service, strong customer relationships, and contract hauling reliability.

Best For: Regional shippers seeking a dependable, family-owned partner.

7. WEL Companies

Founded: 1975
Headquarters: De Pere, Wisconsin
Fleet: ~600 tractors | ~96M revenue

Core Services

  • Temperature-controlled truckload and LTL

  • Food-grade warehousing (AIB Superior certified)

  • Dedicated fleet services

What Sets Them Apart
WEL offers integrated cold chain solutions combining reefer trucking with food-grade warehousing. They serve Fortune 500 food & beverage clients with customized logistics programs.

Best For: Shippers with complex cold chain needs requiring both transport and storage.

8. Paper Transport, Inc. (PTI)

Founded: 1990
Headquarters: De Pere, Wisconsin
Fleet: 795 tractors, 2,400 trailers | 59 RNG/CNG units

Core Services

  • Dry van trucking

  • Intermodal services

  • Dedicated fleets

  • Brokerage and power-only solutions

What Sets Them Apart
PTI has logged over 70 million miles using natural gas equipment, making it one of the most sustainable carriers in the region. Their investment in ELDs, tire pressure monitoring, and driver safety systems keeps performance and reliability high.

Best For: Shippers looking to balance road and rail while reducing emissions.

What makes Wisconsin carriers different

  • Industry heritage: Paper, packaging, food, and manufacturing freight dominate, and local carriers know how to handle them.

  • Seasonal adaptability: Winter roads, holiday food surges, and harvest cycles don’t surprise Wisconsin carriers.

  • Safety culture: Wisconsin carriers consistently maintain strong CSA/DOT ratings thanks to weather-hardened driver skill and rigorous maintenance.

  • Relationship ethos: Family ownership and community roots drive a focus on long-term partnerships.

 

Is Badger Logistics right for your business? A self-assessment guide


Before choosing any transportation provider, it's essential to understand whether their approach aligns with your shipping needs and business culture. Use these questions to determine if Badger Logistics is the right fit for your company:

Business Size and Shipping Volume
  • Do you ship 10-500 loads per month? (Badger's sweet spot for personalized attention)
  • Are you looking to be a significant customer rather than just another account number?
  • Do you value being able to influence how your freight is handled?
Geographic Focus
  • Do you ship primarily from or to Wisconsin and the surrounding Midwest region?
  • Are your primary shipping lanes east of the Mississippi River?
  • Do you need someone who understands Wisconsin's manufacturing corridors and seasonal patterns?
Service Philosophy
  • Do you prefer working with real people over automated systems?
  • When problems arise, do you want to speak directly with decision-makers?
  • Is building a long-term partnership more important than just getting the lowest rate?
Industry and Freight Type
  • Are you in manufacturing, food processing, paper/packaging, or related industries?
  • Do you ship general freight that doesn't require specialized equipment?
  • Do you need both dry van capacity and occasional warehousing services?
Operational Preferences
  • Do you value flexibility in how you communicate (phone, email, EDI, etc.)?
  • Would you benefit from having trucking, brokerage, and warehousing coordinated by one provider?
  • Do you prefer carriers who maintain high safety and vetting standards?
Growth and Scalability
  • Are you a growing business that needs a partner who can scale with you?
  • Do you sometimes need capacity beyond what a single carrier can provide?
  • Would you value having backup options when your primary capacity isn't available?
Problem Resolution Style
  • When issues arise, do you want proactive communication before problems impact your customers?
  • Do you prefer working with companies that take ownership rather than pointing fingers?
  • Is having 24/7 access to knowledgeable support important to you?
Technology Balance
  • Do you want modern tracking and communication tools without losing human relationships?
  • Are you comfortable with proven technology rather than cutting-edge platforms?
  • Do you prefer systems that enhance rather than replace personal service?

If you answered "yes" to most of these questions, Badger Logistics likely aligns well with your transportation needs and business philosophy.

Next steps

If Badger seems like a good fit, consider starting with a small test shipment to evaluate their service quality, communication style, and problem-solving approach. The best transportation partnerships develop over time, and Badger's willingness to invest in customer relationships means they're typically eager to prove their value through actual performance rather than just promises.

Remember: the right transportation partner should make your logistics simpler, not more complex. If Badger's integrated approach and Wisconsin values resonate with your business needs, they may be the partner that helps you optimize your supply chain while reducing your daily transportation headaches.

Don't let transportation headaches slow down your business growth. Whether you're shipping across Wisconsin or throughout the Midwest, Badger Logistics combines the personal service of a regional carrier with the comprehensive capabilities your business demands.

Join hundreds of Wisconsin manufacturers and distributors who have discovered what it means to work with a true logistics partner. At Badger Logistics, your success is our success – and it shows in everything we do.

Ready to simplify your supply chain? Contact Badger Logistics today and discover why Wisconsin businesses choose us for transportation solutions that actually work.

 

 

Sources and references

The information in this guide was compiled from multiple publicly available sources to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness. Industry data was gathered from Transportation Topics revenue rankings, the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's SAFER database. Business directory sources included Americas Driving Force, Clutch.co, GoodFirms, and Zippia for company listings and reviews.

Additional verification came from business intelligence platforms, including Dun & Bradstreet, ZoomInfo, LinkedIn company profiles, and MapQuest business listings. Revenue figures and fleet sizes represent estimates based on available public information, industry reports, and company disclosures, as many smaller carriers do not publish complete financial data. While every effort was made to ensure accuracy, readers should verify current company information directly before making business decisions, as details may change over time.